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New Hampshire Senior News Notes

Balloons are ready to be dropped for the New Year's Eve extravaganza at the Littleton Area Senior Center on Tuesday. The seniors toasted the new year at noon as a big brass band played in the background. (COURTESY)

AARP offers members advance screening of new movie

HOOKSETT — AARP New Hampshire has a treat for its members: a free prerelease screening of the movie "Labor Day," starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.

The movie will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the Cinemagic & IMAX theater, 1226 Hooksett Road. Tickets are limited and reservations are required. For details and to reserve tickets, AARP members should visit www.aarp.org/nh.

Set across the last weekend before school begins, "Labor Day" is the story of 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, a boy struggling to be the man of his house and care for his depressed mother, Adele. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother come across Frank Chambers, a man in need of help who turns out to be an escaped convict. The events of the Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

This advance screening is part of AARP's Movies for Grownups, which spotlights and celebrates movies with storylines, performances and filmmaking that have a distinct relevance to the 50-plus audience.

AARP members also will be able to learn more about what AARP is doing in their community and meet staff, volunteers and other members.

The workshop will be offered from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. on two separate evenings, Thursday, Jan. 23, or Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the new Financial Planning Adult Education Conference Center, 77 Gilcreast Road, Suite 2003.

Organizers say the decisions made now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits people stand to receive over their lifetime.

Workshop attendees will learn important rules that affect the amount of benefits they collect, as well as strategies for deciding when to apply for benefits and for coordinating Social Security with other sources of retirement income. Other topics include when it makes sense to delay benefits — and when it does not; how to maximize benefits, while minimizing taxes; and how current employment will affect benefits.

The cost is $9.95 per person (spouses may register at no additional cost). Seating is limited and reservations are required. To reserve a spot, call 552-3230.

OLLI's January Thaw luncheon set for Jan. 14

Manchester—-The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Granite State College will host its annual volunteer appreciation and January Thaw luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Hooksett Public Library, 31 St. Mary's Way.

As a thank you to Manchester volunteers and for the enjoyment of all members and guests, a lunch will be provided by the Manchester Social Events Committee, along with musical entertainment.

Those who attend will be able to socialize with fellow OLLI members as well as give feedback to the volunteer leadership about previous classes and brainstorm about future offerings of interest to the 50-plus community. OLLI welcomes input from potential and current members.

Although the luncheon is free, OLLI requests an RSVP to 513-1377 or to OLLI.office@granite.edu. Guests are welcome.

The national OLLI network began in 2000 with grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning. The membership-driven program welcomes anyone 50 and older to its classes, which do not have prerequisites or grades. Classes are about "learning for the fun of it," OLLI says.

OLLI began in 2004 at Granite State College. Now, with 900-plus members, it offers classes in Manchester, Concord, Conway and on the Seacoast. For more information, go to olli.granite.edu.

Chapin center to host free dental screenings

NEW LONDON — The Sullivan County Dental Initiative will provide free dental screenings at the Kearsarge Council on Aging's Chapin Senior Center, 37 Pleasant St.

The screenings are offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Limited dental services may be available. For an appointment, call the COA at 526-6368.

Wayne Blanchard from ServiceLink will be at the center at 10:30 a.m. Friday to discuss options for long-term care. To sign up, call the COA.

Anita Oelfke, Medicare coordinator for Merrimack County ServiceLink,

will be available to answer Medicare questions from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14. To register, call COA. The next "Conversations With Lunch" program is set for noon Monday, Jan. 27, at St. Andrew's Church. Kittie Wilson's program, "Little Loon Grows Up," will feature a photo presentation and discussion. To sign up, call the COA before Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The center's monthly International Days program will focus on Spain on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The kitchen will prepare a meal of marinated beef kabobs with Spanish rice, asparagus and almond cake. Janet Hill will present a program about her visit to Spain's Pilgrim Trail.

George Mitchell will serve as host of a Wheel of Fortune game at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. To participate, sign up at the front desk. Gift cards from local businesses will be given as prizes.